Weather and Weather Forecasting

The constantly changing weather, a favorite topic of daily personal discussions, has since ancient times been very important to our lives.  Weather forecasts assist us in making decisions about when we travel, how we dress, and how to be prepared for changes, such as winter weather, poor road conditions, flooding, or tornadoes. Weather forecasts are very important to farmers, since weather affects farmers’ crops significantly which ultimately affects all of us.  One of the most significant uses of weather forecasts is that of the protection of life and property by warning us of impending weather. 

Although meteorology, including recording weather observations, explaining the action of the atmosphere, and predicting wind and rain, are ancient practices, modern day meteorology has become very sophisticated and provides more accurate predictions.  Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the conditions of the atmosphere for a given location and time.  Although weather forecasting was at one time calculated by hand based mainly on changes in barometric pressure, current weather conditions, and sky condition, it now relies on computer-based models that take many atmospheric factors into consideration.  

If you would like to understand more about the weather, please come by and take a look at one of the many books on the weather display at the Al Harris Library.  They are all available for checkout!